Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner was a PS2 Atlus experiment; two games made in the image of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, starring transforming cannibals in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Two Digital Devil Saga veterans and one newbie explore the bleak, brutal RPG with a critical eye. Is the cult classic also a critical hit? Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Robert Fenner, Peter Triezenberg Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom...
Oct 12, 2017•1 hr 2 min
Quintet! Whether it's a hands-on deity rebuilding civilization, children exploring the different sides of the human condition, or rainbow robot rumbles, Quintet games always feel unique and interesting. Today Retro Encounter throws back to the 90s with an in-depth discussion of Quintet's RPGs. Featuring: Robert Fenner, Hilary Andreff, Michael Sollosi Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom...
Oct 05, 2017•1 hr 10 min
Three Retro Encounter panelists reconvene to discuss the second half of Final Fantasy XII, going deep into its ending and optional content. Hunts, espers, music, and romantic shipping each take center stage in today's episode. Featuring: Caitlin Argyros, Robert Fenner, Peter Triezenberg Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom...
Sep 30, 2017•1 hr 27 min
Retro Encounter returns to Dalmasca with Final Fantasy XII, the PlayStation 2 classic recently remastered for PlayStation 4. In this first episode our panelists talk classes, characters, and personal memories of Final Fantasy XII, especially the game's excellent localization and Vaan's impressive abdominals. Featuring: Caitlin Argyros, Robert Fenner, Peter Triezenberg Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfanc...
Sep 22, 2017•1 hr 19 min
Retro Encounter's first episode posted in May of 2015, and today in September of 2017 Retro Encounter hits triple digits. For its hundredth outing, six recurring Retro panelists play an elimination game to determine a future episode subject, and also wax nostalgic about Encounters past. The end result: a listener poll! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Josh Curry, Robert Fenner, Chris Gebauer, Alana Hagues, Peter Triezenberg Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Insta...
Sep 15, 2017•1 hr 26 min
Today is Casts & Characters day on RPGFan! To accompany the site featured articles, Retro Encounter has five of the feature writers present to talk about their favorite RPG ensembles. Final Fantasy VII's Planeteers, Borderlands 2's weirdo heroes, Persona 4's Scooby gang, Koudelka's bickering heretics, and Final Fantasy XII's royal entourage each make an appearance. Get to know the heroes and villains of five RPGs in today's episode, and read our accompanying feature article. Featuring: Micha...
Sep 07, 2017•1 hr 8 min
Ultimate weapons. When you find one in an RPG, it's a symbol of accomplishment, a trophy representing high dedication and near-completion of its game. Sometimes they're lying around in a late dungeon, but most of the time players jump through strange, specific hoops to obtain them. And four RPGFan podcasters are here to talk about those weapons, those trophies, and those hoops. Featuring: Peter Triezenberg, Robert Fenner, Alana Hagues, Michael Sollosi Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpg...
Sep 01, 2017•1 hr 13 min
Grim Fandango continues to stun our panel with its original setting and sharp wit, and continues to frustrate that same panel with 1990s adventure game design. But what were the panel's overall feelings? Does Manny manage to rescue Mercedes? How fast does Glottis go? These questions and more are answered in today's podcast. Featuring: Alana Hagues, Marcos Gaspar, Michael Sollosi Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twit...
Aug 25, 2017•1 hr 18 min
Blizzard's Diablo series is over twenty years old, and over three games and two official expansions it's changed in leaps and bounds. Three of RPGFan's premier Diablo fanboys examine the evolutionary arc of the series, from the plodding walking speed of the original 16-floor dungeon to the satisfying gameplay of the Diablo III Necromancer class. Join us for a gothic fantasy Retro Encounter retrospective. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Robert Steinman, John Tucker Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: ...
Aug 18, 2017•1 hr 25 min
Retro Encounter gets spooky in August with a playthrough of the classic 1998 LucasArts adventure game, Grim Fandango. Snappy dialog, obtuse puzzles, aggressive fiery beavers, and mysterious cat races all make an appearance in Grim Fandango's first two days, as Manny Calavera seeks justice for himself and his clients. Featuring: Alana Hagues, Josh Curry, Marcos Gaspar, Michael Sollosi Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom...
Aug 11, 2017•1 hr 6 min
Several RPGFan staff are big fans of Pokemon, so of course they have strong feelings about the different generations of Pokemon games. In today's episode, three panelists argue to determine the best overall Pokemon generation, with some discussion followed by a vote. Naturally, the arguments are adamant, not timid. Featuring: Peter Triezenberg, Alana Hagues, Michael Sollosi Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: r...
Aug 03, 2017•1 hr 34 min
The GameCube is not the first console many people think of when we think about RPGs. If it doesn't come into your mind eventually, though, you're doing something wrong. We look back at the best multiplayer RPGs and forgotten gems on the system, and of course, with it being Nintendo, we could not escape without talking about some of their most famous mascots. This was where the Tales of series exploded into the West, and where Monolith started finding their feet again. You'd be silly to miss this...
Jul 28, 2017•1 hr 27 min
Four EarthBound panelists return to discuss Earthbound's alternately charming, bizarre, disturbing, and satisfying finale, from deserts to swamps to prehistoric underworlds (?) and alien attacks from the distant past (???). It's another hour of EarthBound banter from Retro Encounter! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Hilary Andreff, Robert Fenner, Keegan Lee Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom...
Jul 21, 2017•1 hr 13 min
Last year, four Retro Encounter panelists had a blast playing Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, a murder mystery novel rife with twists and turns. In 2017, three of those four panelists return for a special one-off episode on its sequel, Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. There's a lot to discuss about this island in the sun; we'll be playing and having fun! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Peter Triezenberg Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram:...
Jul 15, 2017•1 hr 14 min
EarthBound is one of the oddest, most original Japanese RPGs on the Super Nintendo, and over the years it's amassed a cult following dwarfing that of Happy-Happyism. In this week's Retro Encounter, four panelists explore EarthBound's first half, taking Giant Steps all the way to Summers in summer. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Hilary Andreff, Robert Fenner, Keegan Lee Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom...
Jul 07, 2017•1 hr 10 min
Produce! was a game developer operating from 1990 to around 2000, and their output in that era resulted in three strange, unique, and fascinating RPGs: The 7th Saga, Brain Lord, and Mystic Ark. For today's Retro Encounter, one knowledgeable Produce! historian and one inquisitive 7th Saga fanboy discuss those three titles in exhaustive detail. Featuring: Robert Fenner, Michael Sollosi Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom...
Jun 30, 2017•57 min
When we last visited Dragon Quest V in Retro Encounter, our hero was incapacitated in a stranger's front lawn, but a chance meeting with his family has him return to action! Continue the Dragon Quest V's hero's journey as he rescues his wife, avenges his father, and raises his children while defeating a demon grandmaster. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Keegan Lee, Robert Steinman Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch...
Jun 23, 2017•47 min
It's no secret that we here at RPGFan love Xenoblade Chronicles. We wanted to do a full playthrough of the game for Retro Encounter, but (and this will surprise no one) it's just too damn long. So instead, we gathered a panel of Xeno fans to chill and chat about all things Xenoblade. Join us as we discuss the world, story, gameplay, and music of one of the best RPGs of the past decade! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Caitlin Argyros, Stephanie Sybydlo, Peter Triezenberg Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Emai...
Jun 16, 2017•1 hr 24 min
The people have spoken! Earlier this year, readers and listeners voted for Retro Encounter to play Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride, and today Retro Encounter delivers! Our three panelists discuss the tragic life story of Dragon Quest V's hero, the game's motley menagerie of monsters, and the heroine's extremely brief pregnancy. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Keegan Lee, Robert Steinman Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook:...
Jun 09, 2017•1 hr 10 min
A Bird Story, Kan Gao's second indie hit, is a preview for the upcoming game Finding Paradise, but is a beautiful silent film of a game in its own right. With zero lines of dialog and a runtime of under 90 minutes, A Bird Story won't take up much time to play, but it quickly seized the hearts of these two Retro Encounter panelists. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Peter Triezenberg Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch...
Jun 01, 2017•29 min
Everyone has a what-if game. Or several. A game that only exists in theory, in the dreams of gamers who wish their favorite developers could make a title with everything they ever wanted. In today's Retro Encounter, Rob and Peter wax hypothetical about video game projects that they wish could happen in the future, from unconfirmed Sega sequels to Nintendo meta-projects. Featuring: Robert Fenner, Peter Triezenberg Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: ...
May 26, 2017•43 min
The Retro Encounter crew continues their journey through the blasted hellscape of Darksiders, going through The Black Throne and beyond. Tune in to hear our thoughts on the game's final dungeon and the final stages of War's journey, as well as some speculation on what a potential Darksiders III. Hey, we didn't think they'd go and announce it before the episode came out! Featuring: Peter Triezenberg, Marcos Gaspar, Keegan Lee Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom...
May 19, 2017•57 min
We've talked about Zelda games before on the podcast, but what about Zelda-likes? This week on Retro Encounter the panel dives into Darksiders, the brutal, edgy action game inspired by Zelda, God of War, and others. Join us as our panelists guide the incarnation of War as he wages war through a battleground of angels, demons, and all manner of horrors. Featuring: Peter Triezenberg, Marcos Gaspar, Keegan Lee Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfa...
May 14, 2017•54 min
In their second Tales of the Abyss episode, Retro Encounter re-examines the principal characters, breaks down the motivations of the game's villains, and tries to make sense of the ending. Some of these endeavors are more successful than others. So what are the overall thoughts of three Tales-playing veterans? Either listen to the episode or read The Score. Featuring: Stephanie Sybydlo, Alana Hagues, Michael Sollosi Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagra...
May 05, 2017•1 hr 27 min
For some reason, Mario "Mario" Mario and Luigi "Mario's brother" Mario are renowned as stars of platforming adventures, wacky sports titles, and chaotic fighting games, when we all know that their finest work is in RPGs. Three Retro Encounter panelists break down the Mario RPGs, from their SNES beginnings to last year's Color Splash. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Peter Triezenberg, John Tucker Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: r...
Apr 28, 2017•1 hr 13 min
Tales games are ever-present JRPGs, and recently it feels like a new one gets released every year. This week the Retro Encounter panel looks back to the Tales heyday and examines a series fan favorite, Tales of the Abyss. They go deep into the game's heavily political story, complex cast of characters, and Jade's dark sardonicism. Especially that last one. Featuring: Stephanie Sybydlo, Alana Hagues, Michael Sollosi Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram...
Apr 21, 2017•1 hr 26 min
Inspired by the recent announcement of the Seiken Densetsu Collection for the Nintendo Switch, Retro Encounter devotes an entire episode to celebrating the highs and lows of Seiken Densetsu. The discussion topics range from the first four Mana classics, to the ill-advised Mana revival in 2006, to some unusual tangents into Radiant Historia and the 2000 Summer of RPG. Give it a listen! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Robert Fenner, Derek Heemsbergen Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com...
Apr 14, 2017•52 min
Retro Encounter is legally allowed to podcast about Persona once a year, so in 2017 we're tackling the groundbreaking 2006 PS2 RPG: Persona 3. The panelists get deep into playable characters, social links, Tartarus, Nyx, and more in this very Persona(l) episode of Retro Encounter. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Robert Fenner, Alana Hagues Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom...
Apr 07, 2017•1 hr 31 min
Do we love seeing dogs in RPGs? Do all dogs go to heaven? Which dog is the best dog? Who let the dogs out? Yes, yes, all of them, and undetermined. None of those questions are addressed in this week's Retro Encounter, but Alana and Mike talk about dogs for an hour regardless. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom...
Mar 30, 2017•1 hr 5 min
So a polite robot, a gallant frog, and a cavewoman without an understanding of personal space walk into a bar, and save the world from the apocalypse? Join us for the conclusion to RPGFan's podcast all about Chrono Trigger, where the panel explores endgame strategies, storyline theories, and the other mysteries of Squaresoft's 1995 classic. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Chris Gebauer, Alana Hagues, Peter Triezenberg Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram:...
Mar 22, 2017•1 hr 21 min
